Audi reveals prices for new RS3 01 | 08 | 2017
AUDI HAS REVEALED the spec and prices for its new RS3 flagship. On-sale at Scottish dealerships now, which first deliveries scheduled for next month, prices start at £44,300. As well as a five-door Sportback, for the first time the RS3 comes as a four-door saloon, which carries a £950 premium. (Related: Audi confirms three new EVs by 2020)
Powered by the same 395bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI turbocharged engine as found in the recently launched Audi TT RS, it develops 33bhp more than the outgoing RS3 Sportback. The power is delivered to Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.
The RS3 saloon hits 62mph from standstill in 4.1secs, and carries on to an electronically listed max of 155mph. If that’s not enough, you can request for it to be raised to £174mph.
The RS3's four-door body gains the RS3 Sportback’s front bumper, flared wheelarches, large oval twin exhaust tailpipes and rear diffuser.
Versus an A3, the front track of the new RS3 models is wider by 20mm, and the front wheel arches are subtly flared in recognition of this. The rear axle is 14mm wider than the standard.
Sportback models sit on 19in ‘5-arm rotor‘ design alloys, while the newly introduced Saloons feature a ‘5-arm blade’ design also with a 19in diameter.
While LED headlights are standard, even more sophisticated matrix LED units are available as an option. LEDs are also at the heart of the new Audi Beam feature, which is standard. On entry to, or exit from, the RS 3 it projects the Audi Sport insignia onto the ground.
Inside, the heated, RS-embossed and contrast-stitched front sport seats are finished in black Nappa leather, while there’s also a leather and Alcantara flat-bottomed RS sport steering wheel. Front Super Sport Seats upholstered in Nappa leather are available as an option.
Audi’s fully digital Virtual Cockpit is fitted as standard. In this application it provides additional RS-specific screens giving driver-focused detail such as tyre pressure, torque and g-forces in the 12.3-inch high resolution display, and also the seven-inch colour monitor that glides smoothly into place alongside it from its housing within the dashboard.
Detailed navigation mapping and route guidance also appears on both screens courtesy of the standard MMI Navigation Plus which is paired with a touch-sensitive control panel for easy data entry.
The Audi Smartphone Interface, another standard feature, enables selected apps to be displayed when an Android or iOS smartphone is connected.
The integral Audi Connect Infotainment module enables Google Earth mapping, plus it beams a wealth of information on everything from flight times and local fuel prices, to weather and world news directly into the cabin. A three-year subscription to these online services is included.
Related: Roadtest — Audi Q2 1.4TFSI CoD 150PS S line
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Jim McGill